As a male rape survivor, I can tell you that the only thing that helps with
healing is forgiveness. I went through years of rape and it continued to ruin
my life until I began forgiving and letting go of the memories. No amount of
counseling changed the course of my life. The Atonement was applied in my life
and now I have peace.

Yes we forgive; but make no mistake about it, Elizabeth was able to obtain a
measure of justice in this life to which she absolutely was entitled, and
undoubtedly this has been an important element of her healing. For that I am
very happy for her.

Not let her life be run by this attack. That simply makes no sense. Although I
admire this young woman for her bravery, to say that this attack is something
she has moved on from is totally false. Her abduction seems to be running her
life almost exclusively.

I'm surprised by the critical remarks regarding Elizabeth Smart. After all
she went through, I feel like she's entitled to say whatever she wants.
Plus, it sounds like she's speaking about her experience to help other
people, not because she's dwelling on the past. To me, that seems pretty
noble. Also, judging by the fact she spoke to a packed house, it appears plenty
of folks want to hear what she has to say.

Elizabeth Smart is resurrecting the grand American tradition of the Captivity
Narrative speaking tour. In the 17th, 18th and, 19th centuries Women who had
escaped or were rescued from their Indian captors would tour the country to
packed venues. The telegenic Smart mixing her talk with Religous faith must be a
mesmerizing experience. If she makes it to SoCal, I'd buy a ticket to to
hear her speak too.

If you have been born and raised to believe that there are living Prophets and
that you are to believe anything they tell you no matter how strange. Someone
like Emmanuel doesn't seem so far fetched. That she didn't run away
despite many, many opportunities seems like what I hear from most members about
their faith.

In March 2006, Smart went to Congress to
support sexual predator legislation and the AMBER Alert system.

Four months later, she spoke after the signing of the Adam Walsh Act.

Two years later (2008), she traveled to Washington, D.C., where she
helped present a book, "You're Not Alone", published by the DoJ, in
which she authored some of the entries.

The following year (2009),
she commented on the kidnapping of Jaycee Lee Dugard, stressing that dwelling
upon the past is unproductive.

Later that year, while "dwelling
on the past", she spoke at the 2009 Women's Conference in California on
overcoming obstacles in life.

Two years later (2011), while still
"dwelling on the past", she founded the "Elizabeth Smart
Foundation" to educate children about violent and sexual crime.

Two years later (2013), while still "dwelling on the past", she
discussed the need to emphasize individual self-worth in fighting human
trafficking at Johns Hopkins Univ.

Two months ago (2014), while still
"dwelling on the past" over a moment that ultimately HAS defined her
life and had been running it, she testified before the Utah State legislature in
favor of HB 286...

...which was a bill that would create a non-mandated curriculum for use in Utah
schools to provide training on child sexual abuse prevention.

And now
show's speaking at Boston College at that institution's "Care
About Rape Education" awareness week.

If she hadn't let that
heinous episode run her life, then why is it every time she opens her mouth,
that attack it brought front and center? Does she have nothing to say about any
other social ill? Who does she think she's kidding? That attack HAD run
her life, and it continues to do so.

1. She said she didn't run away because he threatened her family and knew
where they lived and she tried once and got caught and it was painful.2.
Yes, just like others that give lectures, she is paid (I am assuming) but why
not? Lots of famous people get paid to come and speak to others about whatever
experience they went through.3. She is trying to help others get through
their lives, that may have gone throughsome of what she suffered. Is there
something wrong with telling others how to forgive and move on.4. Yes she
is still talking about the experience because it helps others and yes, she has
moved on past the attack because you don't see her getting angry and
outraged over this period in her life. She is married and hopefully will have a
family someday, that's called moving on! Just because you talk about
something in the past doesn't mean you haven't moved on. Keep going
Elizabeth, you are a great example to all! My prayers are with you.

To "Ironman" and "BYU Track Star" don't you think that by
having Elizabeth Smart speak and share her experiences with as many people as
possible that she could be helping these women? She is an expert on rape and
abduction survival. Who would you want teaching your daughter about how to
survive rape and abduction? Somebody with experience or somebody who knows
theory only?

I agree with Rexburg Reader. If I may quote from a previous post, the fact is,
she was in fact attacked and was a victim. What logic is there not to follow?
How can one judge that her abduction is "running her life?" It is not
logical to come to that conclusion just because that's all the news you see
of her. What else is the media going to report on her? Her married life? Her
studies? Her work? No. Her message was far better and more appropriate than
Biden's callousness at the memorial.

Where does it say in the
Boston Magazine that she took any money for this? I didn't read that part.
Why is it difficult to understand that she is unique--a kidnap victim that
actually CAME BACK ALIVE? She understands that and has the wherewithal to be
able to help others, which is the mission I believe she is on.

Interesting or sad to observe that the couple of comments on the Boston
Magazine article praises her, but seems that judgmental people are rampant among
DN readers.

What an amazing woman. My daughter was a rape victim while in Peru serving the
country in the Peace Corps.I wish she could speak with Elizabeth as she would
certainly benefit from it as I hope those in her audiences do.

While I would not write this in stone, it is generally true that someone who has
shared the experience would be best able to understand what it is like. Just
because Elizabeth has been raped, kidnapped, forced into all those terrible
things, and been told her family's well-being was dependent on her
cooperation did not make her a victim. It made her captor a perpetrator. There
is a huge difference--and it is in Elizabeth's mind. So let's not tell
her what's in her mind, I think she defined that nicely. Let's be
grateful she cares so deeply, in spite of all that happened, to reach back to
those who are hurting, and forward to those who may be at risk, to lend heart
and hand, as well as time she could have been spending on anything else in the
world but thinking or talking about this subject. We may never know her sphere
of influence. I don't believe she is counting coup, I do believe if just
one person is helped she counts her time worthwhile.

Lovely Deseret, Ironman, Xert, Moreman, others: Try reading Elizabeth
Smart's book. All the way through. After reading your comments, the first
thought that comes to mind is: haters gonna hate... What Ms. Smart went
through was horrific and that period of her life, and her innocence, can never
be restored. She is taking something tragic and finding good. Not just that -
she is trying to HELP OTHERS. She is entitled. Have you ever heard
"judge not that ye be not judged"? Think about it seriously. You have
NO RIGHT to comment on ANYTHING Elizabeth says or does.

Turn away,
and get a life. Never pick on someone who can't help how they are, what
they went through, how they look, etc. That's called.....bullying. I bet
you are all male.

Wow. A young girl goes through some of the most horrible experiences that any
human being could go through — for NINE MONTHS — and then comes out
the other side with light and hope and promise. MILLIONS of others have gone
through similar experiences, and have had trouble dealing with the darkness and
hopelessness that would come to ANYONE who went through a kidnapping or a sexual
assault, and so now that girl can go around the nation and the WORLD sharing her
experiences and bringing hope and light to those others. It's an amazing
story, and Elizabeth is an amazing woman. Even she can help even ONE survivor
of rape or kidnapping to leave behind the darkness and come into light and hope,
it'd be worth ANY money she's paid for her appearances. I can't
believe there are people here who would put her down and dismiss what she's
done and what she's doing.

To Ironman, xert, Naval Vet,
LovelyDeseret: Should Elizabeth remain depressed, fearful, suspicious, and
bereft of hope for the rest of her life? Or should she pretend that it all
never happened, and just bottle it up inside her forever?

I admire her for doing what she does. It does take courage to get in front of
others and open yourself up like that! She truly is an inspiring person who can
show us what it is to serve others. I am sure that she helps many women who may
need some inspiration to make it through such a horrible experience. It is
inspiring because she has found a way to win! Don't we all have something
that we want to overcome? Some of us have more burden, but in a dreary world, it
feels good to see somebody triumph! Women are strong! I would hope to have a
fraction of her strength. I hope she keeps inspiring people. God bless her.